Funding boost for museums

Culture Secretary Chris Smith is expected to announce more detailed plans tomorrow from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport in response to the Government’s comprehensive spending review, which was announced last week.

The review means an extra 290m will be made available to the DCMS over the next three years. The bulk is likely to go on improving public access to museums and the arts, says a DCMS spokesman.

The announcement comes as The Heritage Lottery Fund launches its 7m Museums and Galleries Access Fund this week, which is to go towards temporary and touring exhibitions.

Smith is expected to announce details of tie-ups between Government and businesses from the creative industries.

The Treasury’s document on the spending review, Modern Public Services in Britain – Investing in Reform, reads: “The Government will work in partnership with its funding organisations and the commercial and subsidised sectors to deliver the Government’s goal of excellence, access and education which can in turn help to maximise the benefits of the creative economy.”

The Heritage Lottery Fund has also granted nearly 24m to The National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside 2001 – the biggest single grant ever made by the fund. And 15m has been granted to the Victoria and Albert Museum for the refurbishment of the British Galleries, which are being designed by Dinah Casson and David Mlinaric.